*sigh*
I told him they were decorating for Christmas.
Side note: They were having an event later on that evening.
Santa was arriving with REAL ELVES! Did I tell him all that? Ummm-NO!
I know, I know, bad mommy. I haven't really explained to him what this is all about.
He's 3. How much am I supposed to get into with this kid? I know for sure I don't want him growing up thinking Christmas is a day where mommy and daddy will go into debt trying to buy a bunch of toys and crap that he will lose interest in before the new years arrive.
We've never been the materialistic type of family where we buy tons of gifts and ask, what did you get me, what did I get, what? what? give me, give you, on and on! WE give gifts to each other all throughout the year and no ever goes without. He has tons of toys, clothes, gadgets and his most favorite of all: His old school walkman. LOL
I am thinking of buying more cassette tapes for his little walkman. He's been rotating the same two tapes since like forever!
I want to be sure he understands the birth of Jesus. The reason why we celebrate this holiday. You know, the reason for the season. But, to be honest, I have NO idea on how to explain it.
I am going to ask his kiddie church teacher for an age appropriate way to explain it. She's always so good and breaks it all the way down for a toddler to understand. She's so patient that way.
OF course my dear sweet husband said, "as long as the fat dude in the red suit doesn't get any credit for all our hard work!"
How did you explain this holiday season to your children?
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 comments:
I love this! You know I have no kids so, I'm learning through all of my great blog friends. My opinion: You want him to know about Jesus, His birth, the Celebration!, etc- tell DJ that. Tell him, too, about giving to other little boys/girls who don't have toys/food/clothes.
Get his friends involved and "adopt" some kids who are less fortunate. Maybe a military family- with one or both parents deployed. This would show him about Christianity.
I could have no idea what I'm talking about, though!
"as long as the fat dude in the red suit doesn't get any credit for all our hard work!" - I hear that, here was my theory on that as a child.
I knew better, I even told my mother that I wouldn't want my kids to believe in Santa because then he would be loved when the parents are the ones who bought all the gifts! You should love you parents on Christmas. I didn't believe in Santa very long because we lived in an apartment with no chimney. My mother tried to tell me he came and rang the doorbell when I was sleep and she buzzed him up! LOL! I wasn't trying to hear that, after all I had already been peeking around the house at my presents!
As I got older I started going Christmas shopping with my mother and wrapping my own presents!
Let DJ listen to reason for the season by Patty Labelle maybe that will help. I remember hearing that a lot as a child.
I'm struggling with the same.
As a three year old she knows about Santa and Baby Jesus but doesn't understand how the pieces fit, or don't.
I really like your husband's answer.
I let them watch "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and it pretty much explains the whole thing in a way that's simple enough for them to understand and also emphasizes that santa comes on Christmas Eve because it's the holiest night of the year.
We go to church Christmas Eve, have a nativity under the tree and don't worry too much about the fat man in the red suit getting the credit (for now). They figure it out as they get older.
We also make sure that they understand that they can't just ask for everything they want, or expect to get everything they want, because other boys and girls deserve to get nice things too.
Hope that helps.
I'm curious to read other people's answer to this...
One thing we decided to do is donate chickens and rabbits to needy families around the world at heifer.org. Let's them know that other people around the world are not as fortunate as they are.
We have always told our daughter that Santa is just pretend. She knows that all of her presents come from us.
We started very early teaching her about Jesus. We explain that sins are things that we do wrong and that Jesus came to save us. We read her children's Bible with her every night and pray with her. Honestly, I think we underestimate kid's abilities. She is now 4 and says that she loves Jesus. She knows what a Christian is. She says she wants to follow Jesus. When someone is hurt or sick she prays for them. Even my 2-year-old is starting to pray and understand a little.
Anyway, I said all that to say that I think he will eventually get it. Just start telling him about it. Maybe go to the Christian bookstore and pick up some simple toddler books about Christmas. Wal-Mart or Sam's may even have some in their book section.
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